Man, 68, gets 25 years for molesting girl

Jacksonville Sheriff's Office booking photo of Carl Downer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 68-year-old Jacksonville man was sentenced this week to a minimum mandatory 25 years in prison for lewd or lascivious molestation on a child younger than 12.

Carl Downer was also sentenced to 16 years for sexual battery and 16 years for lewd or lascivious molestation on a child older than 12 but younger than 16. The sentences run concurrently.

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In June 2012, the young female victim disclosed that Downer inappropriately touched her on more than one occasion. The investigation revealed that Downer had a history of touching and committing sexual acts upon the now 15-year-old victim.

The abuse started when the victim was 9 years old.